This disclosure relates to packaging. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a box assembly having a top handle.
Assembling a box often requires manual labor and multiple assembly steps, which can be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, typical boxes may often require positioning two hands underneath the box or grasping the box from opposing sides.
It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.
Disclosed is a box including a plurality of sidewall panels; a bottom panel arranged at a bottom end of the sidewall panels; a top panel arranged at a top end of the sidewall panels; and a handle cut formed in the top panel and defining a box handle, the box handle foldable relative to the top panel between a pre-erected configuration and an erected configuration; wherein, in the pre-erected configuration, the box handle is coplanar with the top panel, and, in the erected configuration, the box handle extends outwardly and away from the top panel.
Also disclosed is a box assembly including a box blank including a plurality of sidewall panels, and a bottom panel arranged at a bottom end of the sidewall panels; and a support assembly including a top edge defining a center opening, the support assembly being configured to slidably receive the box blank therein, wherein the box blank is foldable from a blank configuration to an assembled box configuration, the top edge of the support assembly is configured to support the plurality of sidewall panels of the box blank thereon so the bottom panel is disposed inwardly of the top edge, and the top edge of the support assembly is configured to fold the plurality of sidewall panels inwardly so that the box blank is folded from the box blank configuration to the assembled box configuration when the box blank is slidably received within the support assembly.
Also disclosed is a method of assembling a box from a box blank, including the steps of obtaining a box blank including a plurality of sidewall panels, and a bottom panel arranged at a bottom end of the sidewall panels; obtaining a support assembly including a top edge defining a center opening, the support assembly being configured to slidably receive the box blank therein; placing the box blank on the support assembly so that each sidewall panel of the plurality of sidewall panels is supported by the top edge of the support assembly; and exerting downward force on the bottom panel of the box blank so that the bottom panel is moved downwardly into the support assembly and the top edge of the support assembly cams each sidewall panel of the plurality of sidewall panels toward a vertical orientation with respect to the bottom panel.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
Disclosed is a box and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of the box can be folded from a blank configuration to an assembled configuration and can comprise a top handle. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the box is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
According to example aspects, the box blank 101 of the box 100 can comprise a bottom panel 103 and a top panel 104. The box blank 101 can further comprise a plurality of sidewall panels 105, which can include a front panel 106, a rear panel 107, a first side panel 108, and a second side panel 109. The bottom panel 103 can define a bottom front edge 110, a bottom rear edge 111, a bottom first side edge 112, and a bottom second side edge 113. The front panel 106 can be hingedly coupled to the bottom panel 103 by a front fold line 114 at the bottom front edge 110. The rear panel 107 can be hingedly coupled to the bottom panel 103 by a rear fold line 115 at the bottom rear edge 111. The first side panel 108 can be hingedly coupled to the bottom panel 103 by a first side fold line 116 at the bottom first side edge 112. The second side panel 109 can be hingedly coupled to the bottom panel 103 by a second side fold line 117 at the bottom second side edge 113. The various fold lines and bend lines identified within the specification can be formed by techniques such as scoring, perforation, pre-creasing, cutting, or any other suitable method. In some aspects, the various fold lines identified herein can be double fold lines comprising a pair of parallel fold lines.
A first front gusset 118 can be arranged between the front panel 106 and the first side panel 108. The first front gusset 118 can comprise a first front gusset flap 119 and a first front-side gusset flap 120. The first front gusset flap 119 can be hingedly coupled to the front panel 106 by a first front gusset fold line 121, and the first front-side gusset flap 120 can be hingedly coupled to the first side panel 108 by a first front-side gusset fold line 122. The first front gusset flap 119 can be hingedly coupled to the first front-side gusset flap 120 by a first front gusset bend line 123. In example aspects, the first front gusset bend line 123 can be perforated to allow for a greater range of motion between the first front gusset flap 119 and the first front side gusset flap 120.
A second front gusset 124 can be arranged between the front panel 106 and the second side panel 109. The second front gusset 124 can comprise a second front gusset flap 125 and a second front-side gusset flap 126. The second front gusset flap 125 can be hingedly coupled to the front panel 106 by a second front gusset fold line 127, and the second front-side gusset flap 126 can be hingedly coupled to the second side panel 109 by a second front-side gusset fold line 128. The second front gusset flap 125 can be hingedly coupled to the second front-side gusset flap 126 by a second front gusset bend line 129. In example aspects, the second front gusset bend line 129 can be perforated to allow for a greater range of motion between the second front gusset flap 125 and the second front side gusset flap 126.
A first rear gusset 130 can be arranged between the rear panel 107 and the first side panel 108. The first rear gusset 130 can comprise a first rear gusset flap 131 and a first rear-side gusset flap 132. The first rear gusset flap 131 can be hingedly coupled to the rear panel 107 by a first rear gusset fold line 133, and the first rear-side gusset flap 132 can be hingedly coupled to the first side panel 108 by a first rear-side gusset fold line 134. The first rear gusset flap 131 can be hingedly coupled to the first rear-side gusset flap 132 by a first rear gusset bend line 135. In example aspects, the first rear gusset bend line 135 can be perforated to allow for a greater range of motion between the first rear gusset flap 131 and the first rear side gusset flap 132.
A second rear gusset 136 can be arranged between the rear panel 107 and the second side panel 109. The second rear gusset 136 can comprise a second rear gusset flap 137 and a second rear-side gusset flap 138. The second rear gusset flap 137 can be hingedly coupled to the rear panel 107 by a second rear gusset fold line 139, and the second rear-side gusset flap 138 can be hingedly coupled to the second side panel 109 by a second rear-side gusset fold line 140. The second rear gusset flap 137 can be hingedly coupled to the second rear-side gusset flap 138 by a second rear gusset bend line 141. In example aspects, the second rear gusset bend line 141 can be perforated to allow for a greater range of motion between the second rear gusset flap 137 and the second rear side gusset flap 138.
According to example aspects, each of the first front gusset bend line 123, second front gusset bend line 129, first rear gusset bend line 135, and second rear gusset bend line 141 can extend from an inner corner 142 of the corresponding first front gusset 118, second front gusset 124, first rear gusset 130, and second rear gusset 136, respectively, to an outer corner 143 thereof.
In example aspects, a first front relief hole 144 can be formed at the junction between the bottom panel 103, the front panel 106, the first side panel 108, and the first front gusset 118, generally at the inner corner 142 of the first front gusset 118. A second front relief hole 145 can be formed at the junction between the bottom panel 103, the front panel 106, the second side panel 109, and the second front gusset 124, generally at the inner corner 142 of the second front gusset 124. A first rear relief hole 146 can be formed at the junction between the bottom panel 103, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the first rear gusset 130, generally at the inner corner 142 of the first rear gusset 130. A second rear relief hole 147 can be formed at the junction between the bottom panel 103, the rear panel 107, the second side panel 109, and the second rear gusset 136, generally at the inner corner 142 of the second rear gusset 136. The first front relief hole 144, second front relief hole 145, first rear relief hole 146, and a second rear relief hole 147 can facilitate folding the box blank 101 to the assembled configuration of
The box blank 101 can further comprise a front auxiliary flap 148 hingedly coupled to the front panel 106 by an auxiliary fold line 149 opposite the front fold line 114. A slot cut 150 can be formed in either or both of the front panel 106 and the front auxiliary flap 148 at or adjacent to the auxiliary fold line 149. In the present aspect, the slot cut 150 can be formed in both of the front panel 106 and the front auxiliary flap 148 to define a slot tab 151 extending across the auxiliary fold line 149. A connected slot tab end 152 of the slot tab 151 can be arranged at and connected to the front panel 106. A free slot tab end 153 of the slot tab 151 opposite the connected slot tab end 152 can be arranged at and disconnected from the front auxiliary flap 148. In the assembled configuration of the box 100, the front auxiliary flap 148 can fold relative to the front panel 106 and the slot tab 151 to define a locking slot 750 (shown in
Example aspects of the box blank 101 can further comprise the top panel 104, a first top reinforcing panel 160, a second top reinforcing panel 164, and a locking tab 168. The top panel 104 can define a top front edge 155, a top rear edge 156, a top first side edge 157, and a top second side edge 158. The top panel 104 can be hingedly connected to the rear panel 107, opposite the bottom panel 103, by a top fold line 159 at the top rear edge 156. The locking tab 168 can be hingedly coupled to the top panel 104, opposite the rear panel 107, by a tab fold line 169 at the top front edge 155.
The first top reinforcing panel 160 can be hingedly coupled to the top panel 104 by a first top reinforcing fold line 161 at the top first side edge 157. In some aspects, a first front notch 162 can be formed between the top panel 104 and the first top reinforcing panel 160 proximate the top front edge 155. The first front notch 162 can be aligned with the first top reinforcing fold line 161. The first top reinforcing panel 160 can also be hingedly coupled to the first rear gusset flap 131 of the first rear gusset 130 by a first rear reinforcing fold line 163.
The second top reinforcing panel 164 can be hingedly coupled to the top panel 104 by a second top reinforcing fold line 165 at the top second side edge 158. In some aspects, a second front notch 166 can be formed between the top panel 104 and the second top reinforcing panel 164 proximate the top front edge 155. The second front notch 166 can be aligned with the second reinforcing fold line 165. The second top reinforcing panel 164 can also be hingedly coupled to the second rear gusset flap 137 of the second rear gusset 136 by a second rear reinforcing fold line 167.
The locking tab 168 can define a first tab side 170 and a second tab side 171 opposite the first tab side 170. In example aspects, a first tab notch 172 can be formed between the top panel 104 and the locking tab 168 at the first tab side 170. The first tab notch 172 can be aligned with the tab fold line 169. The first tab notch 172 can define a first locking shoulder 173 of the locking tab 168. Similarly, a second tab notch 174 can be formed between the top panel 104 and the locking tab 168 at the second tab side 171. The second tab notch 174 can be aligned with the tab fold line 169 and the first tab notch 172. The second tab notch 174 can define a second locking shoulder 175 of the locking tab 168. According to example aspects, the first tab notch 172 and the second tab notch 174 can facilitate folding the locking tab 168 relative to the top panel 104. The locking tab 168 can further define a free locking tab end 176 opposite the top panel 104. In some aspects, a width of the locking tab 168 can have a tapering width (i.e., a decrease in width) towards the free locking tab end 176.
In example aspects, a handle cut 177 can be formed in the top panel 104, as shown. The handle cut 177 can define a box handle 178 of the box blank 101. The box handle 178 can define a first connected handle end 179 connected to the top panel 104 at a first handle fold line 180 and a second connected handle end 181 connected to the top panel 104 at a second handle fold line 182. In the blank configuration of the box 100, the box handle 178 can be configured in a pre-erected configuration, wherein the box handle 178 can be coplanar with the top panel 104. In the assembled configuration of the box 100 (shown in
Additionally, in some aspects, a finger cut 185 can be formed in the top panel 104 adjacent to the box handle 178. More specifically, the finger cut 185 can be formed adjacent to the box handle 178 at or proximate to a center 184 of the box handle 178, wherein the center 184 of the box handle 178 can be defined centrally between the first connected handle end 179 and the second connected handle end 181. The finger cut 185 can define a finger punch-out 186 that can be punched out of the top panel 104 to form a finger opening 585 (best seen in
In some aspects, an adhesive, such as glue or tape for example and without limitation, can be applied to portions of the inner surface 102 of the box blank 101. For example, in the present aspect, an adhesive can be applied to the inner surface 102 of the box blank 101 at the first front gusset flap 119 of the first front gusset 118, the second front gusset flap 125 of the second front gusset 124, the first rear gusset flap 131 of the first rear gusset 130, the second rear gusset flap 137 of the second rear gusset 136, the first top reinforcing panel 160, and the second top reinforcing panel 164. The portions of the inner surface 102 comprising the adhesive can be adhered to other portions of the box blank 101 in the assembled configuration of the box 100, as described in the further detail below.
Referring to
Referring now to
Furthermore, the first front gusset bend line 123 can allow the first front-side gusset flap 120 to fold relative to the first front gusset flap 119, and the first rear gusset bend line 135 can allow the first rear-side gusset flap 132 to fold relative to the first rear gusset flap 131. The first side panel 108, along with the first front-side gusset flap 120 and the first rear-side gusset flap 132, can be folded outward and away from the bottom panel 103, as shown. Similarly, the second front gusset bend line 129 can allow the second front-side gusset flap 126 to fold relative to the second front gusset flap 125, and the second rear gusset bend line 141 can allow the second rear-side gusset flap 138 to fold relative to the second rear gusset flap 137. The second side panel 109, along with the second front-side gusset flap 126 and the second rear-side gusset flap 138, can be fold outward and away from the bottom panel 103, as shown.
Folding the first side panel 108 outward and away from the bottom panel 103 can simultaneously cause the first front-side gusset flap 120 and the first rear-side gusset flap 132 to fold inwardly relative to the first side panel 108 at the corresponding first front-side gusset fold line 122 and first rear-side gusset fold line 134. Similarly, folding the second side panel 109 outward and away from the bottom panel 103 can simultaneously cause the second front-side gusset flap 126 and the second rear-side gusset flap 138 to fold inwardly relative to the second side panel 109 at the corresponding second front-side gusset fold line 128 and second rear-side gusset fold line 140.
Additionally, the adherence of the first front gusset flap 119 and the second front gusset flap 125 to the front panel 106 can simultaneously cause the front panel 106 to fold inwardly towards the inner surface 102 as the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109 are folded outwardly and away from the bottom panel 103. The adherence of the first rear gusset flap 131 and the second rear gusset flap 137 to the rear panel 107 can also cause the rear panel 107 simultaneously to fold inwardly towards the inner surface 102 as the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109 are folded outwardly and away from the bottom panel 103.
As shown in
Folding the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109 to the upright orientation can simultaneously fold the front panel 106 inwardly at the front fold line 114 to an upright orientation about perpendicular to the bottom panel 103. The first front gusset flap 119 (shown in
Folding the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109 to the upright orientation can also simultaneously fold the rear panel 107 inwardly at the rear fold line 115 to an upright orientation about perpendicular to the bottom panel 103. The first rear gusset flap 131 and the second rear gusset flap 137, both adhered to the rear panel 107, can confront the first rear-side gusset flap 132 and the second rear-side gusset flap 138, respectively.
As shown in
The front auxiliary flap 148 can be folded relative to the front panel 106 and the slot tab 151 at the auxiliary fold line 149 towards the interior cavity 707 of the box 100. The front auxiliary flap 148 can be arranged about perpendicular to the front panel 106. Folding the front panel 106 relative to the slot tab 151 can define the locking slot 750 generally at the slot cut 150. The locking slot 750 can be formed at or adjacent to the auxiliary fold line 149. Additionally, the top panel 104 can be folded relative to the rear panel 107 at the top fold line 159 towards the front auxiliary flap 148. In various aspects, the top panel 104 can be separated from the front auxiliary flap 148.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
In example aspects, various steps in the method of assembly of the inner box 100, including applying the adhesive to the relevant portions of the box blank 101 and pushing the bottom panel 103 of the inner box 100 into the outer box 800, can be machine-operated. In some aspects, closing and/or locking the inner box 100 in the closed and/or locked configurations and/or folding the box handle 178 to the erect configuration can also be machine-operated.
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/541,424, filed on Sep. 29, 2023, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63541424 | Sep 2023 | US |